The #4 Bob Jones University upset #3 Boyce College as they powered past the Bulldogs 3-0 in Friday night's semifinal contest to advance to the national championship match for the seventh year in a row.

"Tonight's game was a team win," said Head Coach Vickie Denny. "We had outstanding passing which helped our middle hitters get into the offense from the start. That along with great defensive plays helped ignite our transition game and secure the victory."

The Bruins entered today's match after going 2-1 in pool play throughout Wednesday and Thursday in Joplin, Missouri. Bob Jones would face off against Boyce College in the second semifinal contest on Friday. Friday's game marked the fourth meeting between the Bob Jones and the Bulldogs out of Louisville, Kentucky. The two programs met in Greenville, South Carolina earlier this season where Boyce College pulled out the 3-1 win over BJU.

As today's contest got underway, it was a back and forth effort between the Bruins and the Bulldogs as the two teams exchanged points never letting the other gain a significant advantage. After the game was knotted at 12 points each, the Bruins went on a four point run highlighted by kills by Stefanie Burke and Emily Lewis. The Bulldogs came back to tie the match again 20-20 before the Bruins scored four straight to reach set point at 24-20. The Bulldogs didn't back down and worked to get within one at 24-23. But a kill by Faith Blalock sealed the set one win 25-23 in favor of Bob Jones. 

Bob Jones and Boyce traded points again early in the second set, but the Bruins soon began pulling away with the lead. Their advantage held through the rest of the frame as a kill by Hannah Goodwin put the Bruins in the win column again in set two with a score of 25-18. 

Looking to close out the match in the third set, the Bruins got off to a 4-1 start. They then went on an eight point spree to pull ahead to a sizable nine point lead. The streak was broken by a service error followed by a kill by the Bulldogs. The Bruins didn't let this get to them and went on another scoring run to pull ahead 22-9. A kill by Elsye Vest followed by a block by Emily Lewis secured the 25-12 set three victory as the Bruins took the 3-0 win. 

Hannah Goodwin led the Bruins on offense with 13 kills while also recording three solo blocks. Faith Blalock nearly had a double double as she finished with nine kills and 11 digs, while Elyse Vest saw 18 assists and four aces in the contest. 

With today's win, the Bruins have punched their ticket to the title match with their sights set on capturing their seventh straight national championship title.

"Our team is excited to get to play one more match this season," said Denny. "We are thankful for the opportunity to compete in the national championship match."

The Bruins face off against #2 Arlington Baptist University in the national championship match set to begin at 2:00 p.m. on the campus of Ozark Christian College in Joplin, Missouri. 

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